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Map Your Neighborhood

This is a guest post by Ric Skinner, Editor of GIS in Hospital and Emergency Healthcare and the Stoneybrook Group LLC. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

Disasters are major events that can strike anywhere and at any time. In a disaster, traditional “911” and First Responder capabilities such as fire, police, paramedics, and utility personnel will be overwhelmed and unable to immediately assist individuals. Professional emergency response may be delayed for hours, even days. Of necessity, it is important for the community to assist first responders in their neighborhood. Preparing individuals and residents is vital in community preparedness and resiliency. Neighbors that are prepared are more effective in their response to a disaster and have increased capacity to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours after a disaster.

LinkedIn Group

I have created a “Map Your Neighborhood” LinkedIn Group. The purpose of this Group is provide a forum for all those involved or interested in the “Map Your Neighborhood” program to collaborate and exchange ideas and ultimately create a national network of neighborhoods that are prepared for any disaster. Join the Map Your Neighborhood Group.

More info and resources about the “Map Your Neighborhood” program can be found at http://www.emd.wa.gov/myn/index.shtml.

Ric Skinner, GISP, is an independent consultant and owner of The Stoneybrook Group LLC offering GIS services in hospital & healthcare preparedness. He’s also involved in his community’s CERT and working on getting the Map Your Neighborhood program implemented in his area. Ric can be contacted at ric.skinner@gmail.com.

By First Arriving

Dave is an EMS provider based in New York City for over 20 years and has been blogging for over 10 years. He is experienced in all facets of EMS Service Management, Emergency Management, and specializes in Event Medical Services. He maintains a blog at DavidKonig.com, is an EMS1.com Columnist, and will be authoring on all things social (including Social Media) here at The Social Medic.